Overview

This lavish historical drama based on the acclaimed novel by Rose Tremain won Oscars for Costume Design and Art Direction. Robert Downey, Jr. stars as Robert Merivel, a gifted medical student of the 17th century who ignores his studies in favor of pursuing debauched fun -- much to the consternation of his high-minded Quaker colleague John Pearce David Thewlis. Merivel achieves the high societal status he covets when he's summoned by King Charles II Sam Neill. Merivel is chagrined to find that he's expected to ...

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Overview

This lavish historical drama based on the acclaimed novel by Rose Tremain won Oscars for Costume Design and Art Direction. Robert Downey, Jr. stars as Robert Merivel, a gifted medical student of the 17th century who ignores his studies in favor of pursuing debauched fun -- much to the consternation of his high-minded Quaker colleague John Pearce David Thewlis. Merivel achieves the high societal status he covets when he's summoned by King Charles II Sam Neill. Merivel is chagrined to find that he's expected to care for the king's ailing spaniel, but the dog rallies and Merivel joins court. When one of Charles' mistresses, Celia Polly Walker becomes uppity, Charles arranges her marriage to Merivel. In return for keeping Celia in a pretend marriage, he receives an estate and knighthood. Merivel, however, falls in love with Celia and, betrayed by an eccentric painter Hugh Grant, inspires the king's wrath. Banished and stripped of his wealth, Merivel rediscovers love with an Irish mental patient Meg Ryan. He also rediscovers his passion for medicine during London's Great Fire and the Black Plague.

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
- Karl Williams

A superb costume drama that stumbles occasionally due to its effort to rush through a picaresque structure (the production probably should have been a two-part BBC television miniseries), this adaptation of an acclaimed historical novel represents some the best work from troubled actor Robert Downey Jr. He's typically memorable in his role of a spoiled poseur who finds, as in so many redemption dramas from It's a Wonderful Life (1946) to Groundhog Day (1993), that his salvation lies in lancing his own egotistical, selfish drives. What sets director Michael Hoffman's film apart from the pack is its ravishing period look (the film took home a pair of Oscars for costume design and art direction) and the fact that it's loosely based on actual events and people, providing a relatively authentic peek at a fascinating historical epoch. Downey Jr. is ably supported by an eclectic and well-chosen cast, particularly by Sam Neill as the imperious King Charles II, Ian McKellen as the clever servant Will Gates, David Thewlis as an upright Quaker colleague, and Meg Ryan as an Irish mental patient. Those convinced that Ryan can play only the cute, daffy career-woman-in-love of her numerous romantic comedies would do well to check out her performances here and in Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) and Courage Under Fire (1996) for a primer on what a talented, underrated actress she really is. Restoration (1995) would have been better served by a more studious, paced, and even-handed approach, but the film is a solid period piece that deserves to be seen by genre fans who may have missed its brief theatrical run.

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Customer Reviews

Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Spellbinding

This film is brilliant--pure & simple. Robert Downey Jr's performance is nothing short of remarkable. I can only imagine he drew on hs own wild lifestyle to capture Merival's so well. A touching & shocking tour de force that will make you laugh & cry--& think.

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